Timer devices for culinary purposes

ABSTRACT

A culinary timer device comprising a timer mechanism of adjustable operating period incorporated in a cooking vessel or in the cover of such a vessel, a thermo-sensitive device arranged to initiate operation of the timer mechanism when the temperature of the vessel contents reaches a predetermined value, and means for indicating when the operating period has ended.

United States Patent 1 Aries et al.

TIMER DEVICES FOR CULINARY PURPOSES Inventors: Graham John Aries,Stourbridge;

Brian Scott-Smith, High Wycombe; David Malcolm, Maidenhead, all ofEngland Tower Housewares Limited, Staffordshire, England Filed: Oct. 18,1971 Appl. No.: 189,985

Assignee:

US. Cl. 126/388, 236/46 Int. Cl. A47j 27/00 Field of Search 126/388;99/344;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1967 Frazier 236/46 X [1113,738,354 June 12, 1973 2,192,600 3/1940 Lurtz 126/388 1,631,486 6/1927Hyde l2 6/388 2,536,369 1/1951 Hubbard 126/388 Primary Examiner-WilliamF. ODea Assistant Examiner william C. Anderson Attorney-Irvin S.Thompson and Robert .1. Patch [57] ABSTRACT A culinary timer devicecomprising a timer mechanism of adjustable operating period incorporatedin a cooking vessel or in the cover of such a vessel, a thermosensitivedevice arranged to initiate operation of the timer mechanism when thetemperature of the vessel contents reaches a predetermined value, andmeans for indicating when the operating period has ended.

13 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENTEB Jill" 2 SHEEIIUFZ TIMER DEVICESFOR CULINARY PURPOSES This invention relates to timer devices forculinary purposes and more particularly relates to timer devices forincorporation in holloware.

The invention is described herein below with particular reference to apan for use in boiling eggs, although other cooking utensils or coverstherefore may be fitted with the device of the invention and may be usedfor purposes other than the boiling of eggs.

It is well known that the boiling of eggs is often carried out in arather hit-and-miss manner. For example, either an egg-timer in the formof a sandglass or a convenient time-piece, such as a clock or wristwatch, is used to time the period for which the eggs are to be boiled.In the case of a sandglass, it is difficult to vary the boiling time andconsequently the degree to which the eggs are cooked accurately. Also,such sandglasses are usually calibrated for a time period to give asoftboiled egg starting from the instant at which the water used forcooking the eggs boils. Thus, with a sandglass there exists thepossibility of overlooking the beginning of the boiling of the water andtherefore the correct zero time at which the glass should be inverted.It is, of course, possible to make a sandglass which has a sufficienttime period to allow soft boiling of an egg when the eggs are placed incold water and the water is then brought to boiling point. However,correct cooking of the eggs in this case depends on the rate at whichthe temperature of the water is brought to boiling.

The element of error in the second method mentioned above is even higheras, unless the timepiece is constantly watched or incorporates anaudible signal mechanism, it is very easy to overlook the end of thecooking period.

According to the present invention, a culinary timer device comprises atimer mechanism having an adjustable operating period and incorporatedin a cooking vessel or in the cover of such a vessel, a thermosensitivedevice arranged for monitoring the temperature of the interior of thevessel and connected to the timer mechanism to initiate operationthereof when such temperature reaches a predetermined value, and meansfor indicating when said operating period has ended.

Although said indication may be purely visual, e.g. a dial of the timermechanism returning to zero, an audible indication is preferablysupplied.

Embodiments of the invention in the form of devices incorporated in thelid of a pan for boiling inter alia eggs and in the wall of a cookingvessel are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings,in

which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pan lid incorporating a timer deviceembodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line IIIIII of FIG. 2on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 ofa like device fitted in thewall of a cooking vessel rather than in a lid.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pan lid 1 is provided with a central well2 in which a standard clockwork timer mechanism 3 is fixed by means ofits casing 4. The top of the timer mechanism 3 is covered by a disclikedial member 5 which is calibrated around its periphery in units of time,for example minutes. This disclike member 5 is connected to the windingshaft of the clockwork mechanism and is rotated in a clockwise directionto wind the mechanism.

The period for which the timer is to operate is set by rotating themember 5 anti-clockwise until the required period is aligned with areference mark on the lid 1 or on the casing 4 of the timer mechanism. Aknob 6 is provided for rotating the member 5 and also serves forremoving the lid from the pan. The timer mechanism incorporates anaudible warning device 6' which is triggered at the end of the setperiod.

The audible warning device 6 may be a standard ringing mechanism.Alternatively, it may be a steam whistle in which case an optionalaperture 6 through which steam from the interior of the pan can pass tothe whistle is provided, the aperture being opened by the timermechanism at the end of the set period.

A thermo-sensitive relay 7 consisting of a bi-metallic strip has one endfixed to the wall of the well 2, and the other end attached to a brakearrangement 8 which is capable of preventing rotation of a rotating partof the timer mechanism 3 such as the balance wheel 9. An aperture 10(FIG. 2) in the wall of the well 2 is covered by the bi-metallic stripso that the temperature of the interior of the holloware vessel candirectly affect the strip.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the brake arrangement 8 consists of a strip 11of springy material such as brass, having one end attached, for exampleby soldering, to the casing 4 of the timer mechanism 3. The strip 11 isbent so as to form an apex l2 spaced from the casing 4 of the timermechanism. The other end of the strip 11 is bent to form a V-shapedportion 13, the apex of the V facing the casing of the timer mechanism.An aperture 14 is cut in the casing 4 of the timer mechanism adjacentthe balance wheel 9, and the V-shaped portion 13 of the strip 11 ispositioned so that when the apex 12 of the strip is forced towards thecasing 4, the V-shaped portion 13 enters the aperture 14 and bears onthe balance wheel 9, preventing its rotation and thus preventingoperation of the timer mechanism.

The radius of curvature of the bi-metallic strip 7 is such that with itsfree end bearing on the apex 12 of the strip 11 sufficient force isproduced to press the V- shaped portion 13 against the balance wheel 9and thus prevent operation of the timer. As the internal temperature ofthe vessel rises, the radius of curvature of the bi-metallic relay 7decreases, thus reducing the force due to the springy nature of thestrip 11 holding the book 13 in contact with the balance wheel 9 until,at the predetermined temperature, the balance wheel is released.

The end of the V-shaped portion 13 is provided with a tail 15 whichbears on a screw-operated cam mechanism l6. Rotation of the cammechanism alters the spacing of the tail 15 from the balance wheel andthus varies the force required to bring the V-shaped portion 13 intocontact with the balance wheel 9 and therefore the predeterminedtemperature at which the timer begins to function.

FIG. 4 shows a device which is generally the same as that of FIG. 1 3but which is fitted in a well in the wall of a cooking vessel ratherthan in a lid. Reference numeral 20 designates the part of the walladjacent the device; the other numerals designate the same items as inFIGS. 1 3. With the exception of the manner in which the device isattached to the vessel, the construction and operation of the device ofFIG. 4 are the same as those of FIGS. 1 3.

The timer mechanism 3 may be fixed in the well 2 in the lid by a nut andbolt arrangement l6, 17 (FIG. 2). It is of course essential that nosteam or other vapour be allowed to reach the timer mechanism and, withthe fixing as described above, an efficient seal must be provided aroundthe bolts. It is preferable therefore that the timer mechanism be fixedin the well of a lid or a wall of a vessel by a bonding or potting agentsuch as an epoxy resin 21 (FIG. 4). Any such bonding agent must becapable of withstanding the maximum temperature at which the lid is tobe used. With the timer device bonded into the well in this manner, themechanism is completely shielded from vapour given off by the contentsof the vessel, as the only aperture is that in the wall of the well andthis is completely covered and sealed by the bi-metallic strip.

Also, the timer mechanism can be completely sealed relative to the uppersurface of the lid or the outer surface of the wall of the vessel, thusallowing the lid or vessel to be completely immersed in water forcleansing purposes.

The present invention provides a device by which a selected cookingperiod which is to commence when the contents of the vessel reach aparticular predetermined temperature can be accurately set. The timerdevice indicates a time period which is adjustable and which starts whenthe vessel contents reach a predetermined temperature; which temperaturecan also be adjusted by making the thermosensitive device adjustable.

We claim:

1. A cooking vessel comprising a body, a cover for said body, said bodyand cover co-operating to define a cooking enclosure, a timer mechanismfitted to said enclosure and having means for adjusting the operatingperiod thereof, a thermo-sensitive device mounted on the outside of saidenclosure and arranged to monitor the temperature of the interior ofsaid enclosure, means connecting said thermo-sensitive device to saidtimer mechanism to initiate operation of the timer mechanism, saidthermo-sensitive device being adapted to cause said connection means toinitiate operation of said timer mechanism when said temperature reachesa predetermined value, and means for indicating when said operatingperiod has ended.

2. A cooking vessel according to claim l in which said timer mechanismincludes a rotary part such as a balance wheel and said connecting meanscomprises a brake arrangement capable of preventing rotation of saidrotary part, said thermosensitive device being adapted to cause saidbrake arrangement to allow rotation of said rotary part when saidpredetermined temperature is reached.

3. A cooking vessel according to claim 1 in which said brake arrangementcomprises a strip of spring material anchored at one end thereof, theother end thereof being adapted to bear on the rotary part and preventits rotation when pressure is exerted on the strip by saidthermo-sensitive device.

4. A cooking vessel according to claim 3 in which said one end of thestrip is anchored to said timer mechanism and the strip is bentintermediate its ends to form an apex spaced from the timer mechanismand is provided adjacent said other end with a V-shaped portion, theapex of the V being adapted to bear on said rotary part when the stripis forced towards said timer mechanism.

5. A cooking vessel according to claim 4 further comprising a cammechanism for varying the force required to bring the apex of said Vinto contact with said rotary part and thereby varying saidpredetermined temperature at which operation of said timer mechanism isinitiated.

6. A cooking vessel according to claim 5 in which said thermo-sensitiveelement is a bi-metallic strip.

7. A cooking vessel according to claim 6 in which said timer mechanismis fixed in a well in said enclosure.

8. A cooking vessel according to claim 7 in which the interior wall ofsaid well is provided with an aperture and said bi-metallic strip isfixed to said interior wall so as to cover said aperture.

9. A cooking vessel according to claim 7 in which said timer mechanismis fixed in said well by a bonding agent.

10. A cooking vessel according to claim 9 in which said bonding agent isan epoxy resin.

11. A cooking vessel according to claim 1 in which said means forindicating when said operating period has ended includes an audiblewarning device.

12. A cooking vessel according to claim 11 in which said audible warningdevice is a ringing mechanism.

13. A cooking vessel according to claim 11 in which said warning deviceis a steam whistle; said enclosure defines an aperture for allowingsteam to pass from the interior of said enclosure to said whistle; andmeans is provided for opening said aperture at the end of said operatingperiod.

UNETED STATES PATENT owm: @EER'HMQAEE @l QQRREQHQN Patent No. 3,73%354 Dd June 12 1973 I a o It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [75] "David Malcolm should read David Malcolm CratonClaim 3 line 1', "claim 1" should read claim 2 Signed and sealed this25th day of December 1973..

(SEAL) Attest: I

EDWARD M. FLETCHER, JR RENE D. I'EGTMEYER Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents FORM o-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 I I U.SGOVERNMENT PRHlTING OFFICE: I969 0-366-33| I I" i

1. A cooking vessel comprising a body, a cover for said body, said bodyand cover co-operating to define a cooking enclosure, a timer mechanismfitted to said enclosure and having means for adjusting the operatingperiod thereof, a thermo-sensitive device mounted on the outside of saidenclosure and arranged to monitor the temperature of the interior ofsaid enclosure, means connecting said thermo-sensitive device to saidtimer mechanism to initiate operation of the timer mechanism, saidthermosensitive device being adapted to cause said connection means toinitiate operation of said timer mechanism when said temperature reachesa predetermined value, and means for indicating when said operatingperiod has ended.
 2. A cooking vessel according to claim 1 in which saidtimer mechanism includes a rotary part such as a balance wheel and saidconnecting means comprises a brake arrangement capable of preventingrotation of said rotary part, said thermosensitive device being adaptedto cause said brake arrangement to allow rotation of said rotary partwhen said predetermined temperature is reached.
 3. A cooking vesselaccording to claim 1 in which said brake arrangement comprises a stripof spring material anchored at one end thereof, the other end thereofbeing adapted to bear on the rotary part and prevent its rotation whenpressure is exerted on the strip by said thermo-sensitive device.
 4. Acooking vessel according to claim 3 in which said one end of the stripis anchored to said timer mechanism and the strip is bent intermediateits ends to form an apex spaced from the timer mechanism and is providedadjacent said other end with a V-shaped portion, the apex of the V beingadapted to bear on said rotary part when the strip is forced towardssaid timer mechanism.
 5. A cooking vessel according to claim 4 furthercomprising a cam mechanism for varying the force required to bring theapex of said V into contact with said rotary part and thereby varyingsaid predetermined temperature at which operation of said timermechanism is initiated.
 6. A cooking vessel according to claim 5 inwhich said thermo-sensitive element is a bi-metallic strip.
 7. A cookingvessel according to claim 6 in which said timer mechanism is fixed in awell in said enclosure.
 8. A cooking vessel according to claim 7 inwhich the interior wall of said well is provided with an aperture andsaid bi-metallic strip is fixed to said interior wall so as to coversaid aperture.
 9. A cooking vessel according to claim 7 in which saidtimer mecHanism is fixed in said well by a bonding agent.
 10. A cookingvessel according to claim 9 in which said bonding agent is an epoxyresin.
 11. A cooking vessel according to claim 1 in which said means forindicating when said operating period has ended includes an audiblewarning device.
 12. A cooking vessel according to claim 11 in which saidaudible warning device is a ringing mechanism.
 13. A cooking vesselaccording to claim 11 in which said warning device is a steam whistle;said enclosure defines an aperture for allowing steam to pass from theinterior of said enclosure to said whistle; and means is provided foropening said aperture at the end of said operating period.